Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Cinemas

This is an excellent find! I remember it. The streets were jammed, since we were glad of something to brighten up our lives then. The searchlights were dazzling! I think they were on the canopy of the Empire across the road.

The Ritz was definitely my favourite Wirral cinema, with its stage shows and organists, not forgetting the good British films of those days from Ealing Studios, Gainsborough Films and Associated British Pictures.

Bri

Another one of Wirrals old cinemas is about to face the wrecking ball.

The building formerly known as the Tudor cinema is being demolished to make way for a new Aldi store. The mechanics garage and the small buildings next to it on the site where demolished this week, the petrol station next door is next then probably the first week of 2010 the Tudor will be demolished.

The 1100 seat cinema was built in 1933 on the site of the old queens cinema which was destroyed by fire in 1932.
It was a very popular cinema. The house full sign was used regularly especially during the 1940s where the audiences reached their peak, not just watching films but also visiting orchestras would perform there.
By 1965 the audiences had dwindled and it closed its doors as cinema for the last time. It was used as a bingo hall for a few years then a casino club then was sold again in 1974.

I remember going in there in the mid to late 80s when it was called bridge walk business centre. It contained small business and had a small shopping arcade in the middle. It later became council offices until it was closed recently to make way for Aldi.

I will try to get photos of the demolition but it is most likely to happen during the week when I am back in work.



Historic photos and information took from the silver screens or Wirral book by P.A Carson and C.R Garner and then shortened drastically by myself.

The Lyceum cinema in New Ferry was on the corner of New Chester Rd and Grove St.We kids called it the 'lice box'
Anyone remember the Coliseum in Tranmere?

the Coliseum on Old chester road, Lower Tranmere. I use to go there on a Saturday afternoon, 6d {a tanner} was the name for 6d {old money}That was in the late 40s. If I was loaded {plenty of pocket money} I would go to the Regent on church road {higher tranmere} it was 9d to get in there on a Saturday afternoon.

Hi, does anyone know what year the Gaumont Cinema on Park Road East closed down?

Also, is there any known pictures of the building in it's former glory?

Page 1

And bottom of page 6, says it closed in 1964.

Pics, at its best, on pages 8 ( link to post) and 9.

Bri

i used to sell the echo outside the ritz,essoldo when i was a boy happy days

inside the Gaumont Birkenhead 2010

Nice photos. It looks as though it would not be too difficult to convert back. Pretty unlikely!

Can't easily read the wording in the cement but the Gaumont was opened 30th May 1938 by actress Nova Pilbeam. You can see hand prints and 'Nova' at the bottom but any guess as to what the two depressions are in the middle? Surely not!! Well, not in those days!

Bri

They're shoe prints Bri

Now you mention it, I can see the heels!

I went to see "The student Prince" at the Rialto, New Ferry at least six times in mid fifties. Your photo revived many memories of long lost youth for me. Thanks Ruth

Just picked up on this wonderful thread

After my band 'The Vampires' broke up around August 1964 i returned to my former life as a Projectionist at the Gaumont in King Street Wallasey i was there for about one year before going away to sea as a Projectionist with P & O

I recall it was a wonderful cinema and it was kept in first class condition by the staff ...some who had been there since it had opened !

It was the first Cinema that i worked in that had a female projectionist ...and i had worked in many since leaving school xmas 1957.....does anyone here remember here and what happened to her ....she was still there at the end of 1965

They look like her bum cheeks